This morning, over 200 union activists gathered outside CC1 prison in Phnom Penh to call for the release of two men: bus driver and Cambodian Transport Workers Federation (CTWF) member Nan Vanna, and Cambodia Informal Worker Association (CIWA) official Ruos Siphay. Both have been detained since February 6 and charged with aggravated intentional violence, obstructing public officials and obstructing a public road.

Union leader Ath Thorn was among today’s supporters. Along with three other union leaders – Kong Athit (President of C.CAWDU and CLC), Eang Kim Hong (C.CAWDU) and Sok Chun Oeung (CIWA) – he has also been charged with the same offences, although not yet detained.

Vanna and Ruos Siphay were arrested by anti-demonstration police on February 6 during a violent attack on former Capitol Tours bus drivers as they demonstrated alongside supporting union CIWA. Both imprisoned men sustained injuries during the protest.